Bumper crop of acorns?

My 1960s neighborhood was planted with many pin oak trees. While these trees always seem to be dropping something (leaves, twigs, pollen, etc.), this year's crop of acorns seems to be especially large with nearly constant fall over the past six or seven weeks

My 1960s neighborhood was planted with many pin oak trees. While these trees always seem to be dropping something (leaves, twigs, pollen, etc.), this year's crop of acorns seems to be especially large with nearly constant fall over the past six or seven weeks. Is there a reason behind this bumper crop? Are there any tools that can be used to clean up the literally tens of thousands of nuts that have fallen in my yard without breaking my back picking them up? - Mark -